Importance

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Abstract

Disclosed herein is a new and improved running shoe in which the structure and anatomy of the shoe, including the upper and the thermoplastic rubber unit bottom to which it is secured is balanced and synchronized with the complex action of the wearer's foot in order to tend to optimize the functioning of the multitudinous bones and muscles of the foot and leg during running movements, in general, and during the mid-stance period of the running gait in particular. The unit bottom of the new running shoe has a specially configured and contoured plantar surface having a narrow throat portion with specially shaped integral medial and lateral pad portions disposed therein intermediately of the anterior and posterior portions thereof. The dorsal surface of the new unit sole is generally contoured to conform faithfully to the anatomy of the plantar portion of the wearer's foot when the foot is in its neutral position. In general, the overall construction of the unit bottom, including its specific geometry and its honeycombed internal support, is arranged to accommodate and to promote proper flexion and extension of the wearer's foot during pronated and supinated movements of the foot and leg during running and striding, and in particular during the 'stance' portion of the runner's gait, i.e. the portion of the gait in which the foot is in contact with the ground. The upper of the new running shoe is of generally ultra-lightweight porous material and reinforced with leather to provide a roomy boxed toe configuration in the distal part and a cushioned, high heel counter portion in the proximal part of the shoe. In addition, an independent heel cushion is interposed between a lightweight insole and the distal dorsal surfaces of the unit bottom. Moreover, cooling channels are formed on the dorsal anterior and posterior surfaces of the unit bottom, which channels communicate with ports exposed to the atmosphere at the leading and trailing edges of the unit bottom to allow for air cooling.

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First Claim